We need you at this public meeting
The Planning Commission Meeting for Concord Ventures on January 17th, 2018
Last Update: January 11, 2018
Original post: September 12, 2017
A new development is being proposed in Beaver Valley. If approved, there will be traffic!
We need you at this public meeting. Be the voice of the the Valley on January 16th at 7pm!
What meeting?
Woodlawn and the developers have submitted revised plans for 60 acres in the Concord Ventures development proposal. We need you there to speak out against developing this important piece of our community. The Planning Commission will be reviewing the plans on January 16th at 7:00. We need a big showing of people at this meeting! It is currently scheduled for the Concord Twp Municipal building (43 S. Thornton Road Glen Mills, PA), but may be moved to another venue to accommodate a much larger crowd. Stay tuned and check our facebook page for any updates as the date approaches! Read on to learn more about this proposal.
Wait, I thought the Valley was saved??
The Valley is comprised of many parcels. This winter we raised enough money to purchase one of the parcels (240 acres in Concord Twp formerly the "Vineyard Commons Proposal") to be preserved forever. There are, however, a few more unsaved parcels. This meeting is for the 60 acre "Concord Ventures" proposal (see map). If you want to learn more about this parcel read the following article: savethevalley.org/posts/concord-ventures
To learn about all the parcels in Beaver Valley, read this article:
savethevalley.org/posts/parcels
What are they trying to build?
The proposal is for three high rise apartments and 29 townhouses, a total of 196 new domiciles housing up to a thousand new residents - all accessing Route 202 on a daily basis. Our architects have rendered drawings based off of the plans filed at the township building. As many of you who commute through this corridor already know, this area is a slog during rush hour. Imagine what adding all these new residents will do to your commute. And, because this parcel is adjacent to the land we saved, we are facing the possibility of high rise apartment buildings looming over the trails that we worked so hard to protect, and disturbing important ecological systems.
What is This Meeting About?
Before a development plan can be approved in Concord Twp it must first pass the Planning Commission (PC), then the Board of Supervisors (BOS) in a separate meeting. The job of the PC is to review all subdivisions and land development applications, and proposed ordinances to make sure they comply with the township code. If plans do not comply with they township code the PC is obligated to reject the plans. They must also take public comment from all those affected by the proposed development.
Beware! In the past we've witnessed classic "passing the buck". The PC approves the plan claiming they're obligated to (because it's only preliminary approval) and that the BOS will reject the plan if it doesn't comply with township code. However, the BOS then claims they're obligated to approve the plan if the PC approved it. In reality, both chambers (the PC and the BOS) have the obligation to reject a plan if it doesn't comply with township code.
Why are we so concerned about complying with township code? Because what is being proposed is so grandiose and out of character with the adjacent open space, the Township should adhere to a strict compliance with the letter of the Township code. It is our job to make sure they do that. Our best angle for making sure these development proposals are rejected is to point out where they are not in compliance with the law.
What to bring
Bring signs, posters, and props! Wear your Save The Valley t-shirts! Please be respectful and orderly!
Need a T-shirt? Get one here: savethevalley.org/store
Ready to do something about it?
Get involved! Don’t just sit there and shake your head ruefully as you sit in traffic on 202, do something about it. Be the voice of the Valley on January 16th, 2018!
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If You Found This Article Useful...
Save The Valley is funded exclusively by donations from people like you. Articles like these are critical in keeping the public informed about important issues relating to Beaver Valley but require donations to keep them going. If you find this article valuable, please consider making a donation today. No amount is too small. Your donations are a critical part of keeping this effort going. Please donate today!